[Main Plot - Jack's Trial × Deep Layers of the Magic Tower] Yorumi Kuro has already broken through five layers of personality trials within the "Illusory Training Tower" constructed by Funk - the violent Joker, the indifferent Queen, the domineering King... Each level a reflection of a possible version of himself, a future he might become.
But the sixth level- Funk once said, "Only those truly crushed by the weight of their own hearts can descend this far.
At the bottom of the tower is a space twisted like mirrors, woven in black and white.
A single card hovers in the center - [Jack of Hearts].
At that moment, the card itself turns into a figure:
A youth dressed in an ancient court robe slowly approaches, a gentle smile on his lips.
"Yorumi Kuro, I am the part of you that always wants to protect others.
Do you want to become a hero or a victim?"
Yorumi glares coldly. "You are not me."
Jack raises a hand, and the room suddenly shifts - before Yorumi, illusions unfold: Blanc crushed by gravitational collapse magic, Midō Karuma pierced by a blade of otherworldly origin, Sayo Hōdō alone in the ruins, crying as she searches for him.
Jack whispers quietly:
"How many times have you imagined this?
Every time a battle starts, aren't you afraid they'll get hurt?
And then you think, 'If only I could bear it all alone...'"
Yorumi grits her teeth, unable to disagree.
For those were his real thoughts.
Jack holds out a hand.
A short sword made of crimson heartlight appears.
"This sword is called Wishheart.
It represents your original wish to protect.
But you must understand - the more you try to protect others, the more you will destroy yourself.
Yorumi closes her eyes.
And in the next moment - he lunges at Jack.
Their clash is not of blades, but of conviction.
[Funk - Underground Ruins × Truth of the Otherworld] Meanwhile, Funk infiltrates the deepest layer beneath Tōun Academy.
Dozens of suspended "specimens" are preserved in an ancient seal tower ruin - each bearing mysterious magical inscriptions, and each marked with a suit-patterned sigil on its chest.
Funk's expression hardens.
"These are no ordinary awakening devices...
They're artificially shaping personality fragments.
The Academy... wants to mass-produce Jack-grade personalities?"
Just then, the Vice Principal appears.
"Funk. So you did come back.
But this place is not yours anymore.
The Magic Club is just a tool - Queen is the key to activating the Persona Domination Project."
Funk's eyes go cold.
He throws his die, triggering a seal field.
"Yorumi may be a player... But I am the one who breaks the game."
[Magic Club - Battle Readiness × Mental Seal Field] Yorumi remains unconscious. The Magic Club prepares for war.
Blanc uses illusionary labyrinths. Midō Karuma takes command.
Sayo stands silently outside Yorumi's room and whispers:
"Have you carried all this... alone?
Kuro... if you really fall apart, how am I supposed to save you?"
[Dream's End - Jack's Whisper × Becoming the Heartbreaker] In the illusory realm, Yorumi finally plunges the Wishheart blade into Jack's chest.
Jack just smiles as blood blooms like roses.
"Good... You finally admit that you too have fear and selfishness.
And that's why you can now accept me - not as a hero, but as a human being".
The Jack of Hearts card flies into Yorumi's hand, imprinting itself in the depths of his soul.
[Jack Persona Activated - Heartbreaker Form Unlocked] The Price - Every time this persona is used, painful memories will surface and mental corruption will deepen.
Yorumi opens her eyes.
"I'm not a savior... I'm a mage."
[Funk returns badly injured and reunites with the Magic Club.
"The Vice Principal and the Principal are no longer people of Tōun Academy.
They are the original 'Pathwalkers' from the other world.
And now - they are preparing to initiate their final plan:
Persona Reset Protocol".